Look, the guy isn't going to ever be confused with Shawn Michaels in the ring, and he shouldn't have to. He got over (more over then anyone) by doing his thing that he perfected in the WWF, and the man could tell a story in the ring with his limited stuff that could rival anyone. HOgan brought a drama and intensity to his matches that few could ever match. That said, here are my Top 10 Hulk Hogan matches.
10. Hulk Hogan vs. Vince McMahon (Wrestlemania XIX) - Shocking that this match ended up being so awesome, and credit belongs to McMahon just as much as Hogan, but I really enjoyed this. It told a great story, and both men really gave it all they had, and Hogan went outside of his normal routine to show that this match "meant something more."
9. Hulk Hogan vs. Triple H (Backlash 2002) - Purely for the nostalgia of Hogan winning the strap one more time, and showing that he could "hang with the young bucks." Very cool match.
8. Hulk Hogan vs. Vader (Uncensored 1995) - Intriguing, as Vader was pretty much the dominant monster of the time period in either company, and the match was brutal, and just well done by both guys. It was a great story told by both men.
7. Hulk Hogan vs. Shawn Michaels (Summerslam 2002) - Shawn Michaels is an asshole. Bottom line, he tried to embarrass Hogan. So, really, my enjoyment from this match was purely from watching Shawn lose. Really, one of the most unprofessional things I've ever seen on that side of the curtain, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised from the guy who gave us the MSG Curtain Call.
6. Hulk Hogan vs. 29 other guys (Royal Rumble 1990) - The better of Hogan's two RR wins. I love the Royal Rumble, and it was a hot gimmick at the time, but it was just that...a gimmick. Hogan's win really put the match over as a HUGE deal, and gave it the credibility to become a lasting fixture, which I love.
5. Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair (Halloween Havoc 1994) - This match was a Steel Cage Retirement Match. I absolutely loved this match, and it's one of the few Hogan-Flair matches that really reached the level of intensity/spectacle it deserved. It was just great work from both guys, and the stakes felt very important and very real. I also appreciated it because it showed HOgan could do his think right there with Flair and not pale in comparison in the ring.
4. Hulk Hogan vs. the Ultimate Warrior (Wrestlemania VI) - At the time, this felt like maybe the biggest match ever, and it lived up to and surpassed that hype, at least to me as a kid. Looking back now, it's even more impressive when you understand the limits of Hogan and the even bigger limits of Warrior. It's startling that Hogan carried him to the best match of his career (IMO, I know others like the Savage match next year). I would rank it higher, but Hogan lost, so....
3. Hulk Hogan vs. the Rock (Wrestlemania X-8) - This match felt like an event. I had gotten out of watching the product a few years back, but I heard about this, and I came back for this match. The crowd was maybe the hottest crowd of all time, and the staredown between Hogan and Rock was just such a MOMENT. The staredown is something that nobody has been able to do like Hogan. I was also startled at how well Hogan was able to work, given his age and physical injuries, but I just enjoyed this match IMMENSELY.
2. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (Wrestlemania III) - Look, it wasn't a masterpiece, but the two Moments from this match are unforgettable and pivotal in Hogan's career. Their staredown to start the match is maybe THE most epic staredown EVER (in any sporting event). And then the Body Slam Heard Round the World. When it happened, nobody could believe it. Nobody thought it could be done. It's one of the defining moments of my childhood and wrestling history.
1. Hulk Hogan vs. Macho Man Randy Savage (Wrestlemania V) - People forget about this match, but personally, I love it. This is the culmination of maybe my favorite angle of all time, the Mega Powers Explode angle. The emotion was very real and very palpable, and the whole match had an epic feel (for me). Both guys worked their asses off and told an incredible story. It felt like there was no wasted motion, no wasted facial expression. I just loved it.
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